Motor



Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTOR John C. Curtis, Claremont, N. 11., asslgnor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts tain conditions, motors of the rotating piston,v

sliding vane type embody advantages not present in motors of other types, especially in rekard to simplicity and relatively high starting 10 torque. It has been found, however, that in motors of this character, particularly when the,

piston is rotating at a relatively high speed, the vanes are thrust radially against the inner walls of the motor cylinder Vdue to centrifugal force, l5 and wear oi the contacting surfaces of the vanes and cylinder walls due to sliding friction, and resultant leakage, power loss and noise quickly occur.

Now, according to one aspect of the present invention, the radial thrust of the vanes against the inner walls of the stationary cylinder is obviated, and the thrst of the vanes is distributed over a considerable area of the smooth inner cylindric surface of a rotating sleeve, concentric with the cylinder and carried by end plates mounted in bearings coaxial with the casing for free rotation relative to the latter. 'The vanes are preferably mounted on a rotating piston or rotor having i 3s axis of rotation eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of sleeve rotation, the vanes bearing directly against the sleeve lthroughout their length, and the ends of the vanes contacting with the sleeve end plates. In one embodiment, the rotating sleeve may be formed with ports for controlling the supply oi' motive fluid to and exhaust of uid from the cylinder, the ports permitting the ilow of fluid from the supply passage of the motor casing to the spaces between the vanes and from such spaces to the exhaust passage of the motor easing V It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved rotary motor of the rotating piston, sliding vane type, wherein the disadvantages of previous motors of thistype are substantiallyY overcome. Another object is to provide an improved rotary motor of the rotary piston, sliding vane type wherein the motor cylinder is provided at least in part by a rotating sleeve mounted in the motor casing -end within which the rotating motor piston is eccentrlcally mounted, the latter supporting the vanes which engage the inner walls of the rotating sleeve, thereby substantially eliminating wear due to sliding friction between the vanes and the motor chamber walls. Yet another object is to provide, in a motor of the above character, an improved interlocking connection between certain of the vanes and the rotating sleeve. Other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear in the course of the following description, and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown. for purposes of illustration, one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in longitudinal vertical section through the illustrative embodiment of the improved motor.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. l. Y

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line l-S of Fig. l, showing the improved interlocking connection between certain of the vanes and the rotating cylinder sleeve.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, there is shown a stationary motor casing i, having a suitable supporting base 2 and provided with a bore 3 closed by end closure members or casing heads 4, the latter preferably being bolted by bolts l* to the motor casing. Journaled concentrlcally within the casing bore and having its exterior periphery closely contacting the walls of the latter, is a rotating cylinder-providing sleeve Lof cylindric form and having a bore i. In this instance, the sleeve S is supported by circular end plates l, 1 having hollow trunnions 8, projecting outwardly therefrom and iournaled in bearings I, supported within the casing heads l. The end plates l have their peripheral edges arranged within counter bores Il in the sleeve ends and are clamped to the sleeve by annular retaining nuts Ill threaded within the sleeve counter bores. Suitable gaskets may be provided between the plate edges and the bottoms of the counter bores or at other desired locations, to insure against leakage. Arranged eccentrically within the sleeve is a rotating piston rotor I2, having opposltely proiecting aligned shaft portions II, Il, extending through the hollow trunnions 8 and journaled in bearings li likewise supported within the casing heads I. The axis of rotation of the rotor piston I! is eccentrically located in parallelism with the axis of rotation of the rotating sleeve 5 so that a crescent-shaped chamber is provided between the outer periphery of the rotor and the inner walls of the sleeve. The rotor is provided with a series of equally spaced, radial slots or grooves I6, extending throughout its length. and guided into these slots are radial vanes Il held in their outermost extended relation by sets of oppositely acting spring-pressed plungers I8, with their outer ends in engagement with the inner smooth cylindric surface of the rotating sleeve 5. The springpressed plungers are arranged in bores formed in the rotor, and the ends of the vanes contacting the sleeve bore are, in this instance, rounded or arcuately formed at I9, to insure sealing contact of the vanes with the walls of the sleeve bore during rotation of the rotor. The crescentshaped chamber above mentioned is divided into motor-chamber spaces and each of these spaces, bounded by the inner walls of the rotating-cylinder sleeve, the outer surface of the rotor and pairs of mutually adjacent vanes. is provided with a port which acts alternatively as an inlet and an exhaust port. These ports for the motor-chamber spaces are designated 20 and are formed in the rotating sleeve 5 in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 2. One oi the vanes is formed with bores 2l in which are seated pins 22 having somewhat rounded-headed ends 23 engaged in recesses 24 formed in the sleeve 5 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so that the sleeve is connected to the piston rotor. As the piston rotor rotates within its bearings relative to the casing, there is a slight angular rocking, substantially non-sliding movement of the vanes with respect to the sleeve, and the rounded ends of the vanes compensate for such relative angular rocking, substantially non-sliding movement, thereby insuring duid-tight engagement between the vanes and the inner surface of the sleeve, and the rounded-headed portions 23 of the connections., between one of the vanes and the sleeve also permit such relative angular rocking, substantially non-sliding movement of the vanes with respect to the sleeve while at all times connecting the sleeve to the rotor. As shown in Fig. 2, the stationary motor casing is provided with an inlet passage 2i, connected by a pipe connection 21 to any suitable source of pressure duid supply, and an exhaust pasasge 2l connected by a pipe connection 29 to a suitable point of exhaust. These supply and exhaust passages 26 and 28 are preferably disposed in horizontal alignment, and communicate with arcuate slots 38 and 3| respectively, formed in the walls of the bore il of the stationary motor casing. When the direction of rotation oi the motor is desired to be reversed, the discharge passage 28 may act as a supply passage and the supply passage 2G as a discharge passage.

The operation of the improved motor will be clearly apparentfrom the description given. Referring to Fig. 2, when pressure duid is supplied through the pipe connection 21 to the supply passage 26, pressure duid flows from the groove 3B through certain of the ports 20 communicating with the groove 31| to certain of the motor chamber spaces between the inner and outer walls o! the sleeve and rotor, and sets of mutually adjacent vanes; while the motor chamber spaces at the opposite side oi the rotor are connected, through certain of the ports 2U communicating with the groove 3| with the exhaust passage 2l. The ports 20 in the rotating sleeve 5 permit pressure fluid to flow from the supply passage 2G to the spaces between the vanes at one side of the motor and from such spaces at the opposite side of the motor to the exhaust passage 28, the fluid acting rst at line pressure and later expansively on the effective vane surfaces, to eilect rotation oi' the piston rotor I2. The ports 2li in the sleeve 5, as they move out of communication with the arcuate grooves 3U and 3l in the casing, are closed oil by the walls of the casing bore between the grooves. As the piston rotor l2 revolves within its bearings relative to the casing, the sleeve 5 rotates therewith due to the interlocking connection 23, 24 between one of the vanes and the sleeve. The spring-pressed plungers I8 hold the vanes I1 in contact with the inner surface oi' the sleeve to provide a tight sealing engagement between the vanes and the sleeve surface 6.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved motor of the rotating piston, sliding vane type is provided, having improved means ior eliminating, to a substantial extent, wear of the ends of the vanes contacting with the walls of the cylinder, thereby resulting in a motor which is relatively more powerful and quiet in operation. It will further be noted that by the provision of the cylindric sleeve connected to one of the vanes of the rotor, the sleeve rotates with the rotor so that Vwear due to sliding friction between the vanes and the cylinder wall is substantially reduced. Furthermore, by forming the ports for conducting duid to the spaces between the vanes, in the rotating sleeve, the iuid distribution means of the motor is greatly simplified. Other uses and advantages oi the improved motor will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specically described one form which the invention :nay assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new,v and desire to secure by letters Patent is:

1. In a motor of the character described, the combination of a stationary casing having a bore, heads closing the opposite ends of said bore, a cylindric sleeve arranged concentrically within the bore and journaled in bearings supported within the casing heads for free rotation relative to the casing, a rotor mounted eccentrically within the sleeve and iournaled within the casing heads for rotation relative to the casing about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said sleeve, radially movable vanes guided on said rotor and arranged to bear throughout their length against the inner smooth cylindric surface of the sleeve, a connection between one of said vanes and said sleeve whereby rotation of the rotor effects rotation of the sleeve, and motive fluid supply and exhaust means for the motor including fluid supply and exhaust passages and ports in said sleeve for connecting the spaces bounded by the inner surface of the sleeve, the outer surface of the rotor and pairs of mutually adjacent vanes, with sai supply and exhaust passages.

2. In a motor oi the character described, the combination of a stationary casing having a bore, headscloslng the opposite ends of said bore, a cylindric sleeve arranged concentrically within the bore and journaled in bearings supported within the casing heads for free rotation relative to the casing, a rotor mounted eccentrically within the sleeve and joumaled within the casing heads for rotation relative to the casing about an axis parallel to the axis of rotatic .i 0i said sleeve, radially movable vanes guided on said rotor and arranged to bear throughout their length against the inner smooth cylindric surface of the sleeve. a connection between one of said vanes and said sleeve whereby rotation of the rotor edects rotation of the sleeve, said vanes assuming dierent angular positions with respect to the sleeve as said rotor rotates withinfits bearings relative to the casing. and said inter-connection being formed to permit such relative angular movement, and motive fluid supply and exhaust means for the motor including uid supply and exhaust passages and ports in said sleeve for connecting the spaces bounded by the inner surface of the sleeve, the outer surface of the rotor and pairs of mutually adjacent vanes, with said supply and exhaust passages.

3. In a motor of the character described, the combination of a stationary casing having a bore, heads closing the opposite ends of said bore, a cylindric sleeve arranged concentrically within the casing bore and journaled in bearings supported in-said casing heads for free rotation relative to the casing. a rotor mounted eccentrically within the sleeve and journaled Within the casing heads for rotation relative to the casing about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said sleeve, radially movable vanes guided on said rotor and arranged to bear in rocking, substantially nonsliding contact throughout their length against the inner smooth cylindric surface of said sleeve, the vanes assuming different angular relation with respect to said sleeve as said rotor rotates in its bearings relative to the casing, the ends of said vanes which bear against the inner surface of said sleeve being arcuately formed to permit such relative angular rocking movement of the vanes while maintaining a sealing engagement of the latter with the inner surface of said sleeve. means acting on said vanes for yieldingly urging the ends of said vanes into contact with the inner smooth cylindric surface of said sleeve, and motive fluid supply and exhaust means for the motor including fluid supply and exhaust passages and ports in said sleeve for connecting the spaces bounded by the inner surface ofthe sleeve, the outer surface of the rotor and pairs of mutually adjacent vanes. with said supply and exhaust passages.

4. In a motor of the character described, the combination of a stationary casing having a bore, heads closing the opposite ends of said bore, a cylindric sleeve arranged concentrically within the casing bore and journaled in bearings supported within the casing heads for free rotation relative to the casing, a rotor mounted eccentri cally within the sleeve and journaled within the casing heads for rotation relative to the casing about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said sleeve, radially movable vanes guided on said rotor and arranged to bear in rocking, substantially non-sliding contact throughout their length against the inner smooth cylindric surface of said sleeve, means for connecting said sleeve to said rotor whereby rotation of said rotor about its axis causes rotation of said sleeve, and motive fluid supply and exhaust means for the motor including iiuld supply and exhaust passages and ports in said sleeve for connecting the spaces bounded by the inner surface of the sleeve, the outer surface of the rotor and pairs of mutually adjacent vanes. with said supply and exhaust passages.Y`

5. In a motor of the character described, the combination of a stationary casing having a bore, heads closing the opposite ends or said boe. a cylindric sleeve arranged concentrically within the casing and at its exterior periphery having a close running fit with the walls of the casing bore. said sleeve journaled in bearings supported IWithin the casing heads for free rotation relative to the casing, a rotor mounted eccentrically within the sleeve and journaled within the casing heads for rotation relative to the casing about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said sleeve, radially movable vanes guided on said rotor and arranged to bear throughout their length against the inner smooth cylindric surface of said sleeve, an interconnection between one of said vanes and said sleeve whereby rotation of said rotor eiects rotation of the sleeve. supply and exhaust passages in the motor casing, and ports in said sleeve for con necting the spaces bounded by the inner surface of said sleeve, the outer surface of the rotor and pairs of mutually adjacent vanes, with said supply and exhaust passages.

6. In a motor of the character described. the combination of a stationary casing having a bore, casing heads closing the opposite ends of said bore, a cylindric sleeve arranged concentrically within the casing bore with its outer peripheral surface having a tight running iit with the Walls of the casing bore, circular end plates supporting said sleeve and having hollow trunnions journaled in bearings supported by said casing heads for mounting said sleeve for free rotation relative to said casing, a rotor mounted eccentrically within said sleeve and having oppositely extending shaft portions journaled in bearings supported by said casing heads, said shaft portions extending through said hollow trunnions and arranged with their axes in parallelism with the axis of rotation of said sleeve, radially located vanes guided on said rotor and having their outer ends bearing in rocking, substantially non-sliding contact against the inner smooth cylindric surface of said sleeve means for constantly yeldingly urging said vanes to bear against the inner cylindric surface of said sleeve. means for connecting said sleeve to said rotor so that when the rotor revolves the sleeve is rotated thereby, and means for supplying fluid to and exhausting fluid from the spaces bounded by the inner surface of the sleeve, the outer surface ot the rotor and mutually adjacent pairs of vanes including ports formed in said sleeve and supply and exhaust passages in the motor casing and with which said ports are communicable.

'1. In a motor of the character described, the combination of a stationary casing having a borel casing heads closing the opposite ends of said bore, a cylindric sleeve arranged concentrically within the casing bore with its outer peripheral surface having a tight nmning nt with the walls of the casing bore, circular end plates supporting said sleeve and having hollow trunnions journaled in bearings supported by said `casing heads for mounting said sleeve for free rotation relative to said casing, a rotor mounted eccentrically within said sleeve and having oppositely extending shaft portions journaled in bearings supported by said casing heads. said shaft portions extending through said hollow trunnions and arranged with their axes in parallelism with the axis of rotation of said sleeve. radially located vanes guided on said rotor and having their outer ends bearing in rocking, substantially non-sliding contact against the inner smooth cylindric surface of said sleeve, means for constantly yieldingly urging said vanes to bear against the inner cylindric surface of said sleeve, an interlocking connection between one of said vanes and said sleeve so that when the rotor revolves the sleeve is rotated thereby, and means for supplying fluid tc and exhausting uid from the spaces bounded by e inner surface of the sleeve, the outer surface of t e rotor and mutually '1.5

adjacent pairs of vanes including ports formed in said sleeve and supply and exhaust passages in the motor casing and with which said ports are communicable.

8. In a motor oi the character described, the combination of a stationary casing having a chamber provided with end w'alls, a cylindric sleeve journaled in said chamber for free rotation relative to said casing, a rotor mounted eccentrioally within said sleeve and iournaled within said casing on an axis parallel to the axis oi. sleeve rotation, vanes guided for radial movement on said rotor and arranged to bear against the smooth inner cylindric `,surface of said sleeve, an interlockingeonnection between one o! said vanes and said sleeve whereby rotation of said rotor effects rotation of the sleeve, and motive uid supply and exhaust means for the motor for supplying iluid thereto and exhausting fluid there- 2g, from including iiuid supply and exhaust ports in said rotatable sleeve.

9. In a motor of the character described. the combination oi a stationary casing having a chamber provided with end walls, a cylindric gs sleeve Journaled in said chamber for free rotation relative to said easing, a rotor mounted eccentrically within said sleeve and iournaled within said casing on an axis parallel to the axis of sleeve CERTIFICATE F Patent llo. 2,157,120.

rotation. vanes guided for radial movement on said rotor and arranged to bear in rocking, substantially non-sliding contact with the smooth inner periphery of said sleeve, means for connecting said sleeve to said rotor whereby rotation o! said rotor elects rotation of said sleeve. and motive iluid supply and exhaust means for the motor for supplying fluid thereto and exhausting fluid therefrom including uid supply and exhaust ports in said rotatable sleeve.

10. In a motor of the character described, the combination of a stationary casing having a chamber provided with end walls. a cylindric sleeve joumaled ln said chamber for free rotation relative to said casing. a rotor mounted eccentrically within said sleeve and journaled within said casing on an axis parallel to the axis oi sleeve rotation, vanes guided for radial movement on said rotor and arranged to bear in rocking, substantially non-sliding contact with the smooth inner periphery o! said sleeve, an interlocking connection between one of said vanes and said sleeve whereby rotation of said rotor eiIects rotation of said sleeve, and motive fluid supply and exhaust means for the motor for supplying iiuid to and exhausting fluid therefrom including uid supply and exhaust ports in said rotatable sleeve.

JOHN C. CURTIS.

CORRECTION.

Josx c. CURTIS. It is hereby certified that error-appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, line 8-9, for "rekard" read regard; page 2, first column, line hh,

for "passage" read passage; same page, second column, lines h. and 55, claim l, for the words "a connection read an interconnection; page 5, firstV co1- umn,1ines 1 and 2, claim 2, for "a connection" read an interconnection;

and that the said Letters Patent should be readwith this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this '1st day of August, A. D. 1959.

(Seal) Henry van Arsdale,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

adjacent pairs of vanes including ports formed in said sleeve and supply and exhaust passages in the motor casing and with which said ports are communicable.

8. In a motor oi the character described, the combination of a stationary casing having a chamber provided with end w'alls, a cylindric sleeve journaled in said chamber for free rotation relative to said casing, a rotor mounted eccentrioally within said sleeve and iournaled within said casing on an axis parallel to the axis oi. sleeve rotation, vanes guided for radial movement on said rotor and arranged to bear against the smooth inner cylindric `,surface of said sleeve, an interlockingeonnection between one o! said vanes and said sleeve whereby rotation of said rotor effects rotation of the sleeve, and motive uid supply and exhaust means for the motor for supplying iluid thereto and exhausting fluid there- 2g, from including iiuid supply and exhaust ports in said rotatable sleeve.

9. In a motor of the character described. the combination oi a stationary casing having a chamber provided with end walls, a cylindric gs sleeve Journaled in said chamber for free rotation relative to said easing, a rotor mounted eccentrically within said sleeve and iournaled within said casing on an axis parallel to the axis of sleeve CERTIFICATE F Patent llo. 2,157,120.

rotation. vanes guided for radial movement on said rotor and arranged to bear in rocking, substantially non-sliding contact with the smooth inner periphery of said sleeve, means for connecting said sleeve to said rotor whereby rotation o! said rotor elects rotation of said sleeve. and motive iluid supply and exhaust means for the motor for supplying fluid thereto and exhausting fluid therefrom including uid supply and exhaust ports in said rotatable sleeve.

10. In a motor of the character described, the combination of a stationary casing having a chamber provided with end walls. a cylindric sleeve joumaled ln said chamber for free rotation relative to said casing. a rotor mounted eccentrically within said sleeve and journaled within said casing on an axis parallel to the axis oi sleeve rotation, vanes guided for radial movement on said rotor and arranged to bear in rocking, substantially non-sliding contact with the smooth inner periphery o! said sleeve, an interlocking connection between one of said vanes and said sleeve whereby rotation of said rotor eiIects rotation of said sleeve, and motive fluid supply and exhaust means for the motor for supplying iiuid to and exhausting fluid therefrom including uid supply and exhaust ports in said rotatable sleeve.

JOHN C. CURTIS.

CORRECTION.

Josx c. CURTIS. It is hereby certified that error-appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, line 8-9, for "rekard" read regard; page 2, first column, line hh,

for "passage" read passage; same page, second column, lines h. and 55, claim l, for the words "a connection read an interconnection; page 5, firstV co1- umn,1ines 1 and 2, claim 2, for "a connection" read an interconnection;

and that the said Letters Patent should be readwith this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this '1st day of August, A. D. 1959.

(Seal) Henry van Arsdale,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

